Refrigerating apparatus



p 1937. T. c. VAN DEGRIFT 3,

REFRIGERATING \APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1956 3'Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO E Sept 1937. 'r. c. VAN DEGRIFT 2,093,496

REFRIGERAT ING APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 21, 1937. c, VAN DEGRlFT 2,093,496

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1936 3 Sheets-$heet 3 Patented Sept. 21, 1937 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Thomas C. Van Deg-rift, Detroit, Mich, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware 21 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and other apparatus wherein it is desired to drive a rotatable member by vibrations or gyrations produced by moving parts on a frame or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus wherein a rotating member may be driven by vibrations or gyrations produced in a frame or the like without direct connection with a motor.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a motorcompressor unit embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section of a slightly modified form of fan drive which is adapted to be used with a unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

l Fig. 5 is a view, somewhat similar to Fig. 2,

but showing a modified form;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section of a further modification.

This invention is applicable to a large number of apparatus wherein it is desired to drive a rotating member by vibrations or gyrations produced in a frame orportion of the apparatus and in which the rotating member is not directly connected to any prime mover. One application wherein this invention is particularly useful is in 0 refrigerating apparatus. The invention has,

therefore, been disclosed as applied to refrigerating apparatus, although it is to be understood, that the invention is of broader scope and is applicable to many apparatus other than refrigerating apparatus.

The problem in refrigerating apparatus wherein this invention is particularly useful is where the motor and compressor of the refrigerating apparatus are enclosed in a. sealed casing, so that the drive shaft of the motor or compressor does not pass through the casing, and there is, therefore, no rotating shaft outside of the casing by which the condenser fan, or any other rotary member, can be directly driven from the motor.

Application April 22, 1936, Serial No. 75,796

. passing any rotating shaft through the casing,

it becomes a problem to drive the fan economically. Several ways have been used, one of which requires a separate motor to rotate the fan, while another way utilizes a strong magnet on the enclosed shaft which is followed by another magnet outside the compressor case. This invention obviates the necessity of these expedients.

In applying this invention to refrigerating apparatus, a refrigerating system may be provided which includes a motor-compressor unit H), a condenser l I, and an evaporator I2 arranged in refrigerant flow relationship. The motorcompressor unit is provided with a fan 13 which is adapted to blow air over the condenser l l and the unit It]. According to this invention, the fan I3 is caused to rotate notwithstanding that no rotating shaft passes through thecasing of the unit ID.

The motor-compressor unit [0 may be of any suitable construction. It may include a casing or frame [4 which is completely sealed, and is connected to the outside only through the pipes l5 and I6, which are connected respectively with the condenser and evaporator. The unit l0 may also include a motor I! and compressor l8 drivingly connected with each other, the compressor receiving evaporated refrigerant from the evaporator l2 and discharging the same into the condenser I I. The construction of the motor and compressor is such that vibrations or gyrations are produced in the casing or frame l4. These vibrations or gyrations may be produced by the useful and necessary parts of the motor or compressor,-or an additional weight, such as l9, may be provided purposely to produce such wibrations or gyrations.

The motor-compressor unit rests on a support which permits vibrations or gyrations. Preferably, this support may be of the gimbal type and may include the gimbal ring 20 having oppositely directed rubber-like bearings 2| on a stationary part of the apparatus or cabinet which is being refrigerated and also have bearings at right to gyrate or vibrate when the motor and compressor are operating.

A bearing or stem 22 is provided at the upper portion of the casing I4. This bearing carries the fan I3. The fan or member I3 is rotatably mounted on the casing I4 through the bearing 22. A resilient device is incorporated in the fan construction, so that the gyrations at the starting of the motor-compressor unit impart a torque to the fan and cause it to start to rotate and eventually pull into synchronism with the vibrations of the casing. In the modifications shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the fan construction includes the floating discs 23 which carry the blades 24. These discs are urged downwardly by the spring 25, and the discs are floatingly held by means of spring 26 which extends radially from the ring to a central spider 21 which is fitted around the bearing 22. The spider 21 is provided with frictional surfaces 28 which touch the lower portion of the upper disc 23.

When the motor is started, it rapidly reaches its running speed, which may be, for example, 1750 R. P. M. A circular or gyrating oscillation of thebearing 22 takes place. Since the inertia of the fan makes it tend to stand still, there is a sliding friction between the surfaces 28 and the disc 23. The center of gravity of the fan tends to work away from its stationary position, and immediately there is a torque produced, which is predominantly in the direction of rotation desired. The fan accelerates until it reaches the speed of the gyrations when it pulls into step like a synchronous motor. At this time, the fan discs 23 are thrown out centrifugally, so that their center does not coincide with the bearing 22, and the fan therefore operates like a sling following slightly the bearing 22 in its gyrations. The same result may be obtained by the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 wherein the ring 30 is provided with upper and lower discs 3| and 32. The ring 30 carries the blades 33 and the lower disc rests on the central bearing 34 carried on the bearings or shaft 35 corresponding to 22 of Figs. 1 and 2. The ring 30 is connected with the hub 36 of the bearing 34 by means of spring 31. When the motor starts, the pin 35 gyrates and the plate or hearing 34 produces a sliding impulse on the disc 32 which eventually causes the fan to rotate and to pull into synchronism with the gyrations in a manner similar to that described with respect to Figs. 1 and 2.

In the modification shown in Figs. and 6, a disc 40 may carry the fan blades 4| and may be supported on rubber pillars 42 carried on a disc 43 which is rotatably supported on the bearing or shaft 44 corresponding to 22 of Figs. 1 and 2. The disc 40 is thus free to oscillate with respect to the disc 43. When the motor starts, and gyrations are produced in the shaft 44, the disc 43 is also caused to gyrate, although initially it may not rotate about the bearing 44. However, the rubber pillars 42 impart torque impulses to the discs 40 and 43 which eventually cause the upper disc 44 to rotate in a manner similar to a sling in synchronism with the gyrations of the unit.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the bearing or shaft 50 corresponds to 22 of Figs. 1 and 2. A disc 5| is rotatably mounted on the shaft 50 and carries the fan blades 52. A centrifugal weight 53 is resiliently and frictionally carried by the disc 5|, for example, by means of the rubber pillar 54. When the motor starts, and produces gyrations in the shaft 50, the centrifugal weight 53 eventually is given a sling-like motion in synchronism with the gyrations of the shaft 50. When this occurs, the fan is caused to rotate in synchronism with the gyrations.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An apparatus comprising a frame, a support therefor permitting gyrations in said frame, a prime mover on said frame and including structure moved with said mover on said frame to create gyrations on said frame, a member rotatably mounted on said frame, and a resilient device causing said member to rotate under power derived from said gyrations.

2. An apparatus comprising a frame movably mounted on a support, an electric motor on said frame, a driven member on said frame and driven by said motor, said motor and driven member causing vibrations of said frame, a rotary member rotatably mounted on said frame independently of the rotation of said motor, and a resilient member causing said rotary member to rotate under power derived from said vibrations.

3. An apparatus comprising a casing movably mounted on a support, a motor and compressor within said casing causing vibrations of said casing while in operation, a member rotatably mounted on said casing, and a resilient device causing said member to rotate under power derived from said vibrations.

4. An apparatus comprising a casing movably mounted on a support, a motor and compressor within said casing causing vibrations of said casing while in operation, a fan rotatably mounted on said casing, and a resilient device associated with said fan causing said fan to rotate under power derived from said vibrations.

5. An apparatus comprising a casing movably mounted on a support, a motor and compressor within said casing causing vibrations of said casing while in operation, and a condenser fan rotatably mounted on said casing, and a resilient and frictional device associated with said fan causing said vibrations to rotate said condenser fan.

6. An apparatus comprising an evaporator, condenser and motor-compressor unit in refrigerant flow relationship, said motor-compressor unit including a casing movably mounted on a support, a motor and compressor within said casing causing vibrations of said casing during operation, a fan outside said casing and a resilient device associated with said fan causing said vibrations to rotate said fan.

7. An apparatus comprising an evaporator, condenser and motor-compressor unit in refrigerant flow relationship, said motor-compressor unit including a casing movably mounted'on a support, a motor and compressor within said casing causing vibrations of said casing during operation, a fan rotatably mounted on said casing and a centrifugal weight resiliently associated with said fan causing said vibrations to rotate said fan.

8. An apparatus comprising an evaporator, condenser and motor-compressor unit in refrigerant flow relationship, said motor-compressor unit including a casing movably mounted on a support, a motor and compressor within said casing causing vibrations of said casing durin onermember.

10. An apparatus comprising a frame, a support therefor permitting vibrations in said frame, a moving member, on said frame causing vibrations of said frame, a rotatable membermounted rotatably on said frame independently of-said moving member, and a spring structure associated with said rotatable member causing said vibrations to rotate said rotatable member.

11. An apparatus comprising a frame, a support therefor permitting vibrations in saidiframe,

a moving member on said frame causing vibra tions of said frame, a rotatable member mounted rotatably on said frame independently of said moving member, and a centrifugal weight mounted on rubber associated'w'ith said rotatable memher causing said vibrations to rotate said rotatable member.

12. An apparatus comprising a frame, a support therefor permitting vibrations in said frame, a moving member on said frame causing vibrations of said frame, a rotatable member mounted rotatably on said frame independently of said moving member, said rotatable member being mounted resiliently on said frame whereby said vibrations rotate said rotatable member.

13. An apparatus comprising a casing mounted to vibrate, a motor and compressor in said casing, a fan mounted with and outside said casing and having a member with rotary bearing on said casing, a blade carrying portion floatingly carried by said member, and resilient and frictional drive means between said member and portion.

14. An apparatus comprising a'casing mounted to vibrate, a motor and compressor in said casing, a fan mounted with and outside said casing and having a member with rotary bearing on said casing, a disc floatingly carried by said member, fan blades on said disc, spring means and fric- 15. An apparatus comprising a casing-mounted to vibrate, a motor and compressor in said casing, a fan mounted with and outside said casing and having a memberwith rotary bearing on said casing, a bladeportion, and a rubber support between said memberand portion.

16. An apparatus comprising a casing mounted to vibrate, a motor and compressor in said casing,

a fan mounted with and outside said casing and including a blade'portion rotatably supported to vibrate with 'sai'dlcasing, and a centrifugal weight floatinglycarried by saidblade portion.

. 1'7. An apparatus comprising a frame mounted to vibrate andmechanism "connected to said frame to vibrate'sald frame a device; rotatably mounted on said frame and including a -rotary bearingportion and a .fioating .portion, resilient drive means between fsaidportions.

18. An apparatuscomprisingja framemounted tovibrate and mechanism. connected to said frame to vibrate said frame; a device rotatably mounted on said frame and including a rotary bearing. portion and a floating portion, and resilient rubber-like drive means between said portions. I a

19. An apparatus comprising a frame mounted to vibrate and mechanism connected to said frame to vibrate said frame, a device rotatably mounted on saidframe and including-a rotary bearing portion and a floating portion, said floating portion being carried by a support having the resilient characteristics of rubber.

' tional drive means between said disc and member.

w 20. A motor-compressorunit including a casing, a motor and compressor within the casing, a support for said casing, said unit gyrating on said support when said motor and compressor operate, a fan mounted on said casing and including a blade portion rotatably mounted on said casing, 'and a centrifugal weight resiliently mounted on said blade portion. g

21. A motor-compressor unit including a casing, a motor and compressor within the casing,

a support for said casing, said unit gyrating on said support when said motor and compressor operate, a fan mounted on said casing and ineluding a blade portion, a rotatable portion rotatably mounted on said casing,'and a spring connecting said portions. THOMAS C. VAN DEGRIEI. 

